File photo:Xinhua

The China Cultural Center officially opened in Riga on Tuesday, in a ceremony attended by ministers and representatives of the tourism ministries of countries participating in a high-level tourism meeting of China and Central and Eastern European countries (17+1) currently taking place in the Latvian capital.

Addressing the ceremony, Chinese Culture and Tourism Minister Luo Shugang said that the opening of the center is a "significant result of the development of friendly relations between China and Latvia."

The minister noted that cultural and tourism exchanges between the two countries have become an important area within the framework of "17+1" cooperation. He expressed hope that the participants in the high-level tourism meeting here in Riga will seize the opportunity to expand this cooperation in culture and tourism even further.

Latvia's Economy Minister Ralfs Nemiro, who also spoke at the opening ceremony, invited everyone to experience the richness of Chinese culture and pointed out that "culture is inseparable from travel."

"Tourism brings together people from different backgrounds, cultures and traditions. I am convinced that our cooperation will continue in the future and I wish great success in spreading the knowledge of the rich and unique Chinese culture."

Chinese Ambassador to Latvia Liang Jianquan said that the China Cultural Center in Riga has been active in promoting bilateral cultural exchanges ever since its preparation in 2017, and has successfully organized a series of high-quality cultural events.

Zhang Lili, head of center, said in her speech that the center, first of its kind in the Baltic region, is responsible for organizing cultural and tourism exchanges not only with Latvia but also with other Baltic countries.